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Na Horuk · 10-09-2017, 05:46 AM

But guys, Pentax is not the worst. Remember that one brand that advertised neutrino lens coatings? That is some next level marketing

**Digitalis** · 10-09-2017, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Remember that one brand that advertised neutrino lens coatings? That is some next level marketing

Don't you mean next level physics? neutrinos are tricky to detect in the first place...as long as they don't try to use strangelet coatings.

E-man · 10-09-2017, 07:23 AM

I have to agree. 'HD' is so overused these days, it's become completely meaningless, sort of like '2000' was in the '80s and '90s. It's not exactly distinctive among all the other 'HD' products out there; in fact, I'd go so far as to say it borders on the generic, something you'd see on a cheap, third-party accessory.

timw4mail · 10-09-2017, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by E-man

I have to agree. 'HD' is so overused these days, it's become completely meaningless, sort of like '2000' was in the '80s and '90s. It's not exactly distinctive among all the other 'HD' products out there; in fact, I'd go so far as to say it borders on the generic, something you'd see on a cheap, third-party accessory.

This is true, I have a Vivitar with "HD" coating

pentaxfall · 10-09-2017, 10:32 AM

HD is not searchable so it is not a good choice in terms of marketing/branding.
*istD was another one, not searchable.

bxf · 10-09-2017, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

When HD was announced we did have some discussion about it. A lot of people didn't like it. SMC had tradition, was well known, and it was unique to Pentax. HD is just a gimmick you see on every camera, phone, monitor, television, anything. To me it felt like Pentax gave up something that was recognizable and valued for something that is a gimmick of modern times and can be found on way too many products, something that lost its meaning long ago when those "HD" television sets started coming out
But its been a while and we got used to it.. though, I agree, that a better term would make more sense. Even SMC2 sounds better than HD in my ears

This sums it up perfectly.

**Madaboutpix** · 10-09-2017, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by fredralphfred

Who else thinks Pentax should have called their new lens coating "sdmc" instead of "HD"?

No particularly strong feelings about this. The new coating is a real improvement: from what I've seen in sample images, it does a great job at reducing flare, retains beautiful colours, and seems to be pretty durable.

That said, the HD moniker is perhaps not the greatest feat of ingenuity that the Pentax marketeers have come up with recently. To begin with, it is indeed a bit of a cliché by now, but more importantly, I'm missing some indication that it refers to, well, a lens coating. "HDC" (i.e. 'High Definition Coating') is maybe not all that brilliant either, but at least it would have been clearer.

Not so happy with the "sdmc" suggestion, as it reminds me of SDM, which somehow doesn't elicit the best associations with me ...

Last edited by Madaboutpix; 10-09-2017 at 12:49 PM.

**monochrome** · 10-09-2017, 12:51 PM

I agree with Adam. HD is recognized now, indifferent though it may be, for marketing purposes. SMC is still a ‘brand’, at least, if not under some form of limited patent, and is still used on many Pentax products (CCTV lenses, for instance) and interior lens surfaces.

My bet is Corporate legal counsel nixed use of SMC and anything suggestive of SMC for arcane reasons that may even be limited to Japan.

fredralphfred · 10-09-2017, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

I agree with Adam. HD is recognized now, indifferent though it may be, for marketing purposes. SMC is still a ‘brand’, at least, if not under some form of limited patent, and is still used on many Pentax products (CCTV lenses, for instance) and interior lens surfaces.

My bet is Corporate legal counsel nixed use of SMC and anything suggestive of SMC for arcane reasons that may even be limited to Japan.

That's an interesting take on it I hadn't considered.

bschriver11 · 10-09-2017, 05:00 PM - **1 Like**

I was thinking XMC (extreme multi coating) would be good and still be easily identified as Pentax.

fredralphfred · 10-09-2017, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by bschriver11

I was thinking XMC (extreme multi coating) would be good and still be easily identified as Pentax.

Plus it works with Pentax being a tough, weather-sealed, cold-capable system.

Wasp · 10-10-2017, 05:03 AM

I have always been a fan of SMC lenses and filters. Decades of precision and tradtion in one acronym.

HD on the other hand just reminds me of television sets and computer monitors. Meh.

Me thinks Pentax should have gone with SMC2 or SMC+ but what do I know? XMC also works for me.

Na Horuk · 10-10-2017, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by Wasp

Me thinks Pentax should have gone with SMC2 or SMC+ but what do I know? XMC also works for me.

Actually, all of those would make sense, and look good on a lens.
Especially when considering that HD usually refers to 720p, and still images from Pentax cameras have much much higher resolution than that. And considering Pentax' video is not exactly stellar. So yea, total miss with the HD

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10-09-2017, 05:46 AM	#16
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	But guys, Pentax is not the worst. Remember that one brand that advertised neutrino lens coatings? That is some next level marketing

10-09-2017, 07:14 AM	#17
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Na Horuk Remember that one brand that advertised neutrino lens coatings? That is some next level marketing Don't you mean next level physics? neutrinos are tricky to detect in the first place...as long as they don't try to use strangelet coatings.

10-09-2017, 07:23 AM	#18
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	I have to agree. 'HD' is so overused these days, it's become completely meaningless, sort of like '2000' was in the '80s and '90s. It's not exactly distinctive among all the other 'HD' products out there; in fact, I'd go so far as to say it borders on the generic, something you'd see on a cheap, third-party accessory.

10-09-2017, 07:53 AM	#19
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by E-man I have to agree. 'HD' is so overused these days, it's become completely meaningless, sort of like '2000' was in the '80s and '90s. It's not exactly distinctive among all the other 'HD' products out there; in fact, I'd go so far as to say it borders on the generic, something you'd see on a cheap, third-party accessory. This is true, I have a Vivitar with "HD" coating

10-09-2017, 10:32 AM	#20
pentaxfall Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 581	HD is not searchable so it is not a good choice in terms of marketing/branding. *istD was another one, not searchable.

10-09-2017, 11:29 AM	#21
bxf Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lisbon area Posts: 1,660	Originally posted by Na Horuk When HD was announced we did have some discussion about it. A lot of people didn't like it. SMC had tradition, was well known, and it was unique to Pentax. HD is just a gimmick you see on every camera, phone, monitor, television, anything. To me it felt like Pentax gave up something that was recognizable and valued for something that is a gimmick of modern times and can be found on way too many products, something that lost its meaning long ago when those "HD" television sets started coming out But its been a while and we got used to it.. though, I agree, that a better term would make more sense. Even SMC2 sounds better than HD in my ears This sums it up perfectly.

10-09-2017, 12:40 PM	#22
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,446	Originally posted by fredralphfred Who else thinks Pentax should have called their new lens coating "sdmc" instead of "HD"? No particularly strong feelings about this. The new coating is a real improvement: from what I've seen in sample images, it does a great job at reducing flare, retains beautiful colours, and seems to be pretty durable. That said, the HD moniker is perhaps not the greatest feat of ingenuity that the Pentax marketeers have come up with recently. To begin with, it is indeed a bit of a cliché by now, but more importantly, I'm missing some indication that it refers to, well, a lens coating. "HDC" (i.e. 'High Definition Coating') is maybe not all that brilliant either, but at least it would have been clearer. Not so happy with the "sdmc" suggestion, as it reminds me of SDM, which somehow doesn't elicit the best associations with me ... Last edited by Madaboutpix; 10-09-2017 at 12:49 PM.

10-09-2017, 12:51 PM	#23
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I agree with Adam. HD is recognized now, indifferent though it may be, for marketing purposes. SMC is still a ‘brand’, at least, if not under some form of limited patent, and is still used on many Pentax products (CCTV lenses, for instance) and interior lens surfaces. My bet is Corporate legal counsel nixed use of SMC and anything suggestive of SMC for arcane reasons that may even be limited to Japan.

10-09-2017, 02:33 PM	#24
fredralphfred Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 252 Original Poster	Originally posted by monochrome I agree with Adam. HD is recognized now, indifferent though it may be, for marketing purposes. SMC is still a ‘brand’, at least, if not under some form of limited patent, and is still used on many Pentax products (CCTV lenses, for instance) and interior lens surfaces. My bet is Corporate legal counsel nixed use of SMC and anything suggestive of SMC for arcane reasons that may even be limited to Japan. That's an interesting take on it I hadn't considered.

10-09-2017, 05:00 PM - 1 Like	#25
bschriver11 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 558	I was thinking XMC (extreme multi coating) would be good and still be easily identified as Pentax.

10-09-2017, 07:21 PM	#26
fredralphfred Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 252 Original Poster	Originally posted by bschriver11 I was thinking XMC (extreme multi coating) would be good and still be easily identified as Pentax. Plus it works with Pentax being a tough, weather-sealed, cold-capable system.

10-10-2017, 05:03 AM	#27
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I have always been a fan of SMC lenses and filters. Decades of precision and tradtion in one acronym. HD on the other hand just reminds me of television sets and computer monitors. Meh. Me thinks Pentax should have gone with SMC2 or SMC+ but what do I know? XMC also works for me.

10-10-2017, 10:54 AM	#28
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by Wasp Me thinks Pentax should have gone with SMC2 or SMC+ but what do I know? XMC also works for me. Actually, all of those would make sense, and look good on a lens. Especially when considering that HD usually refers to 720p, and still images from Pentax cameras have much much higher resolution than that. And considering Pentax' video is not exactly stellar. So yea, total miss with the HD

HD lens coating -- bad name?

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